Ain't talking about Martin Brodeur's recent milestone, but about my latest achievement for the year 2009. It was to watch 200 films and if possible 200 films I ain't seen yet! In 2008, I made this milestone but with a lot of films I already seen. This year I achieved my objective with few days left! For 2010, I plan to watch another 200 never seen before films and to rewatch some of my favorite movies to write retrospectives for my Blog and, by the way, my readers! That is my contract for 2010.See the complete list of the films I watched this year.

2009-12-26

A dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria's rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert.

Period films tend to be liked and/or disliked by moviegoers; some like the reconstitution of the past and the big budgets. Others dislike that it's History and that we'll know the how it ends.So for that genre the director has to be creative and has to do an amazing job to hold the crowd.

Jean Marc Vallée (C.R.A.Z.Y., La liste noire) has made it; he did a beautiful period film that recalls politics and History of the ninetenth century without being too conventionnal and too heavy of dialogues. The love story isn't full of clichés and it sometimes recalls the great film by Sofia CoppolaMarie-Antoinette.

The Cinematography recalls Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon that was only lit with natural light that gave a golden glow to the picture.

Emily Blunt's protrayal of Victoria is just right and she shows great strenght as a young actress (who I categorize in the belle laide genre).

The only negative element to this review is my concern about Vallée's director cut which he didn't got on The Young Victoria. I would like so much to see an uncut version of this film which I really enjoyed in its Theatrical release. I'm pretty sure Vallée's vision is even better!Recommended

2009-12-06

With the holiday season coming I will present and analyze some Christmas movies. This is a film from my country/province. Claude Jutra's 1971 Mon oncle Antoine. In a miner town in the Province of Quebec in the 1940's a young teenager; Benoit who works at the General store witnesses and sees on the 24th of december how the adults behave and live in this joyful time.The transition of Benoit to the adult wold is well presented on many angles with his discovery of the young Carmen, the death of a boy about his age and the many discussions he will witness at the General store.With a script that recalls the traditionnal litterature of the first writers of the Province of Quebec, Jutra presents with his documentary style the life and beings of the people living in this little town on the only day of the year that the mine is closed, Christmas Eve.Meanwhile, the second half of the film is difficult for the characters and it reflects on the viewer that would prefer see the joyful celebrations instead of uncle Antoine being terribly drunk...I, however, really liked the many interactions between the characters and the generations. I also enjoyed the traditionnal celebrations of Christmas Eve that reminded me how it was the only day the workers had a break of the exhausting working conditions.

Clint Eastwood didn't made a it has a traditionnal sport film on how you have to suffer to get to your goals. But it's all that surrounds boxing and the relationships betwen the caracters that make this picture really strong.

Probably the film that amazed me the most in 2003. With the many fight scenes filmed like gracious ballets. But mostly for his briliant tribute to Kurosawa's Rashomon (one of my favorite film and director of all time).